Environmental Pillar

On 25 July 2013 the Environmental Pillar sent this letter to Minister Deenihan in response to shocking comments made by Councillor Sheahan as reported in the Limerick Leader. There is no longer an online version of the Limerick Leader’s article, however you can still see a scan of a printed version, and the text, on this […]

Abstract The Action Plan for Jobs 2012 includes a commitment to produce a Green Economy Plan during the third quarter of 2012. This paper asserts that all policy oriented towards the creation of employment should be in the context of a green economy. It offers working definitions for a green economy, and for green jobs, […]

10 July 2013: The Environmental Pillar is strongly critical of Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney bringing forward the mowing date for the traditional hay meadow option within the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS). AEOS pays farmers to delay mowing of traditionally managed hay meadows until 15 July to allow the diversity of plant species to set seed, […]

This document is a compilation of the headlines of all Environmental Pillar Policies to date. Each policy is linked to its source document. This document is intended to be updated periodically. This version of the Consolidated Policy Document is up to date as of November 2012. Environmental Pillar Consolidated Policy Document Nov 2012 (Pub Date […]

The Environmental Pillar produced this submission in response to the government’s outline Heads of a Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill.  

13 June 2013: In reaction to a speech that Minister Rabbitte gave to over 70 companies yesterday, where he championed the benefits of further fossil fuel exploration around Ireland’s coasts, Environmental Pillar spokesperson Michael Ewing said: “We are very concerned that Minister Rabbitte is acting as a cheerleader for fossil fuel exploration in the seas […]

We acknowledge that a number of our comments have been taken on board in the second draft and we are glad that the Department found them useful. In addition, we note that others haven’t been taken on board and we hope that we can discuss these issues further with the Department in the future. Given […]

Statement from the Environmental Pillar, 5 June 2013: The Environmental Pillar welcomes Ireland’s participation in the Climate and Clean Air Coalition. We agree that air pollution and climate change need to be addressed in an integrated manner. Pollutants such as black carbon have a major impact on the climate as well as human health. We […]

31 May 2013 Dear Minister Coveney, (cc. Minister Hogan) During the month of May you issued c.35 Aquaculture licences for the Castlemaine Harbour in Co Kerry. As you know, under  S.I. No. 309/2003 — Sea-Fishing Boat Licensing Appeals (Fees) Regulations 2003, anyone other than the applicant wishing to appeal against the issuing of these licences […]

15 May 2013: The Environmental Pillar, a coalition of 26 national environmental organisations, is calling for key reforms to Ireland’s bioenergy policy. The benefits of these reforms would be felt in many rural communities in terms of long-term investment and job creation. Without these reforms, Ireland will struggle to meet its renewable energy targets without […]